Despite being in pain, Hayami engages Ippo in an exchange that leaves the entire audience in awe, as the fight was supposed to be an easy win for Hayami. With less that twenty seconds left in the first round, the even exchange appears to slowly turn in favor of Ippo who begins to outclass Hayami with his punches. Using his last strength, Hayami attempts to land a punch on Ippo, but the latter catches him with a powerful uppercut that immediately sends him down. The referee, stops Ippo (who doesn't realize Hayami is down as he keeps punching and falls), and after inspecting Hayami, declares Ippo the winner, in what is the biggest upset of the tournament.